Tanuja Chohan

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tanuja-chohan/b/867/b61

A finance executive with cross-functional experience in managing business units that are entrepreneurial based and Fortune 500. Areas of expertise include: reporting, compliance, profit maximization, strategic planning, system implementation and internal controls. Experience includes working in a global environment cross-functionally across business units and external entities. Implemented systems with training gained from project management. Proficient in US GAAP and IFRS with up-to-date on research for compliance reporting. Financial reporting includes synchronizing reporting systems for efficiency and consistency. Enjoy working in a dynamic and challenging environment with various teams and responsibilities.

Competencies:

Financial Planning and Reporting Advanced Microsoft Office Programs

Developing Budgets and Forecasts Managing Processes

Auditing, Accounting and Reporting Financial Software

Analyzing Information Systems Knowledge and Improvement

Skills:

Multi-Tasking and Attention to Details Strategic Thinker/Visionary

Performance and Project Management Self-motivated, Team Player and Leader

Strong Business Leadership Skills Successful Development capabilities

Professional Experience

Icicle Seafoods Inc. US, Seattle

Systems and Reporting Manager / Interim Controller (Accounting) 07/2015-Current

Took over the Corporate Controller duties since June 2016 since the he left and managed all financial reporting, Cash Management and reconciliations of the general ledger accounts

In-charge of One Stream reporting system implemented to enhance financial reporting that allowed for consolidation, and enhanced cash-flow reporting. One Stream is an enhanced version of Hyperion.

Improve analytics and reconciliations with assistance of ODBC retrieval of data from a 1989 ERP based systems with more csv reports rather than doc reports.

Worked with several other teams, such as Payroll, Treasury, Workers Compensation to enhance processes using Visio, Excel skills, with documentation and process improvements

Assisted the Controller and Accounting teams with several due diligence and audit requirements.

Organized several Excel trainings for the team and worked with other departments for further learning of operations of the company.

Interim Controller’s duties includes Treasury Management, financial reporting periodic, finalize external Audit and the Financial Statements per GAAP and month-end closing process with follow up of reconciliations

Upon sale of the company, worked on the closing balance sheets, purchase accounting with the new owners and worked towards splitting the entity into various components per the Sale Agreement.

Assist with conversion of accounting system to Microsoft Dynamics - Great Plains.

Upon sale of the company, the Reporting and Controller role is redundant as being transferred to new owners

Rivet Consulting Services -US, Seattle Business Analyst (S&M Project Management) 01/2015-06/2015

Consultancy project with Microsoft – Operations Department

Managed the software portal for on-boarding new partners to sell Surface, with suggestions for improvements and simplification of the process to automate the linages to other portals.

Worked with international offices to manage Microsoft Partners and Authorized Distributors of Surface to access the MS Portal and other software for channel incentives, pricing, and support.

Created processes and flow of documentation with the committee during the launch of Surface Hub to sell to the distributors and resellers to sign contracts and obtain the pricing, incentives and support.

Full-time position with a previous controller that provided a challenging opportunity led to the next position.

Steiner Professional Learning Services -US, Seattle Controller (Non-profit education) 11/2014-01/2015

Contract position at this entity included reporting on the financials whilst the Controller was sick-off

Prepared the financials required for reporting to the Trustees and the Non-profit for grants

Assisted with review of financial requirements to simplify the process and future outsourcing of the accounting department

Controller returned and obtained a better opportunity for a project with Microsoft.

Visible Technologies – US, Seattle Consultant (Social Media Analytics) 03/2014- 09/2014

Contract position included assisting the Controller with the following duties:

Audit preparation; Bank audit, cash-flow forecasts, month-end assistance amongst other financial duties.

Preparation of accounting policy for reimbursement revenue recognition

Assisted with Due Diligence compliance of schedule preparation

Preparation of tax documentation for sales and federal tax returns for the year.

Fixed Asset Management, reconciling the Pro-Series system with Excel worksheets for book records, updating AMT and tax depreciation for tax returns, and gain/loss on disposals.

Worked with Salesforce to manage revenue and sales commissions

Company bought out and contract expired.

The Seattle Times Newspaper - US- Seattle Director of Finance/Controller 07/2012-12/2013

A privately held newspaper media company delivering local news and information in Pacific NW with more than 1000 employees

Overseeing all financial affairs of the organization in partnership with the Director of Finance & Budgeting reporting to the CFO: Detailed duties included

Responsible for system of internal controls, maintenance of its fiscal records and the preparation of financial reports, including Draft Financial Statements.

Directly responsible for accounting staff and all activities involved with accounts receivable, accounts payable, and audit, budget operations and reporting, with a team of 16 staff.

Consolidation of multi-divisional financial statements for diverse lines of business

Ensured quality service was provided to internal and external customers, including audit and determined information systems strategy as it supports the above operations.

Ensured timely financial reports for executive management and Board of Directors.

Worked with the external auditors and internal staff for a timely and efficient annual audit, including Pension reporting, impairment analysis, and owned subsidiaries.

Enhanced the effectiveness of the Microsoft Dynamics – AX for accounting and BI 360 for reporting and budgeting

The company restructured the department and thus took advantage to complete my studies.

Mike’s Hard Lemonade - US- Seattle Controller 06/2008- 04/2012

$350M division of Mark Anthony Group, leader in Progressive Adult Beverages (PAB) category of alcoholic beverages

Led strategic planning processes, annual budgeting, monthly forecasting and reporting to the Executives in the absence of the VP-Finance and FP&A lead. Overseeing the US branch accounting and reporting.

The business grew by 75% whilst due to controls implemented, costs rose by less than half relatively improving bottom line during my tenure

Coordinated with the Canadian office to enhance accounting and reporting processes and ensure compliance with US regulations and GAAP

Streamlined the month-end process to improve reporting results by half.

Implemented the Web based purchasing system to manage control, transparency and compliance of accrual

Implemented and enhanced a budget tracking tool for promotional expenses nationwide

Key point contact with the Sales Team, coordinated business reviews with advertising, marketing and sales

Supported business management reporting, business metrics and executive KPI’s.

The company closed offices in Seattle and moved to Chicago.

Stansand (Africa) Limited – Kenya Director of Finance 10/1999- 02/2008

(Subsidiary of Tata Tetley Group -UK and part of Tata Tea-India)

The Tetley Group Limited produces and sells black, green, fruit, and herbal teas in the United Kingdom and internationally

Led all aspects of the Finance, Accounting, Planning, IT, HR and Operations with the Managing Director.

Implemented accounting system from excel based to Microsoft Dynamics – Solomon IV

Developed and implemented an automated tea auction buying, tasting, blending and inventory system.

Managed the detailed annual, 12 month rolling and long range planning processes.

Developed and managed Key Performance indicators to interpret the operations of the business.

Managed the HR, IT, legal, insurance and pension processes in compliance with the Corporate policies.

Coordinated with the UK office that is multi-cultured to enhance management and compliance with the UK GAAP and reporting for the publicly owned Tata Tea Group, based in India.

Developed and maintained financial and information system strategies and objectives.

Liaison with external auditors and tax authorities for financial statements filing and investigations.

Migrated to US to claim permanent residency and had to leave the company.

United Touring Company – Kenya Finance Manager (Chief Accountant) 10/1996- 09/1999

UTc provides international tourists with travel arrangements for tours within East Africa

Lead all aspects of the Finance, Accounting, Planning and Reporting of the touring business unit in Mombasa.

Managed the finance and accounting department with 12 accounting staff.

Strategically restructured the department with change of accounting systems.

Develop and manage the detailed annual planning, budgeting, forecasting and tracking the business.

Cross-functioned with the Fleet and the Touring departments to ensure business unit efficiency.

Coordinated with IT department with improved technology to enhance improvements in processes and systems.

Liaison with external auditors for financial statements filing and investigations.

Coordinated with the Internal Audit to disclose fraud and enhanced controls and improvements.

Career progression with a multinational company to a Director position

Severin Hotels Limited – Kenya Finance Manager (Chief Accountant) 07/1988- 09/1996

(Privately owned by a German family and part of Severin Group of Companies)

A 200 room hotel with 2 Al-Carte restaurants catering for International and local tourists

Lead all aspects of the Finance, Accounting, Payroll, Treasury, Planning and Reporting of the Hotel.

Managed the IT, Finance and Front Office Cashiering department with 15 staff.

Implemented the Uniform system of Accounting and automated the front office and accounting systems

Developed a reporting system with KPI’s to measure the various aspects of the business.

Develop and manage the detailed annual planning, budgeting, forecasting and tracking the business.

Cross-functioned with the all other departments, including F&B, Housekeeping, and HR

Liaison with external auditors for financial statements filing and investigations.

Planned long-term strategic plans and investments with the CEO and Board of Directors

Managed all the Contracts with operators, legal, financial, insurance and suppliers

After 7 years in the Hotel industry, received a challenging opportunity.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers - Kenya Auditor 11/1984 -06/1988

Audited several PwC clients from small to large sized companies, including various Hotels, Wine Agencies, Banks, and Cement Manufacturing, Clearing/Forwarding, and Shipping companies.

Projects included, systems documentation for an International complex banking process, Hotels under receivership, Trustee management and recruiting

After 4 years of audit, joined the Commercial sector for more business experience

Education; Affiliations; and Systems Knowledge

Becker Professional Education –Certified Public Accounting exams completed for (CPA-US) - awaiting licensing with WA State.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) –UK

A Professional Fellowship Chartered Accountant recognized by the AICPA (USA)

Bachelor of Science Degree – First Class Honors

University of Nairobi – Majored in Mathematics-Pure, Applied & Statistics

North Seattle Community College- US

Conversion courses for the US GAAP, SEC including the Not-for-Profit accounting and reporting

DeVry University- US

Currently pursuing MBA studies, majoring in Accounting, with Grades averaging 3.78

SYSTEMS:

Excel proficient with pivot tables, formulae and functions

Computerized Lodging Systems(CLS) – Hotel based accounting and Front Office Management Systems

Sun Accounting Systems – ERP system implemented to interface with CLS

QAD- MFG ERP accounting systems used as interface with WEB Based Purchase Order System, COGNOS reporting, Fixed Asset System (FAS) and Monarch reporting package.

MS-Dynamics.- Solomon IV and AX

Quick-books accounting systems

Reporting Systems include: Clarity reporting, FRx, Solver- BI 360 and One-Stream –Hyperion based.

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